It is a dilemma that would make any expectant father stop and take stock.

Cheltenham Town midfielder David Bird faces the biggest choice of his life - between taking on his boyhood hero in the biggest match of his career or watching his wife give birth to their first child.

The 21-year-old had been looking forward to playing against his idol Alan Shearer when the club take on Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow.

But the tough-tackling midfielder is facing a fixture clash - as his wife Nikki is due to give birth on the same day as the biggest match in the Gloucestershire club's 114-year history.

He admitted today that he could be forced to choose between his two great loves if Nikki does go into labour.

"I had a poster of Alan Shearer as a youngster," he said. "He was an England captain and a hero of mine but I will have to seriously consider what to do if Nikki does go into labour.

"I am very spoilt. These are two incredible things to happen in life and it's just amazing to think that five years ago I wasn't even playing professional football."

Bird met his wife at a village party in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, and the couple dated for four years before getting married in true Footballers' Wives style last year on the Caribbean island of Antigua.

He confessed he had not yet discussed his dilemma with Nikki - fearing it could tempt fate and a possible red card from his wife.

He added: "I don't know what we will do if Nikki actually has the baby on Saturday. It's something we have not discussed as we don't want to tempt fate. I think she'd understand if I said I had to play the match - she's good like that."

Bird, who joined the club's academy as a 15-year-old and made his debut in 2003, will be cheered on by dozens of family members in a sell-out crowd at the Whaddon Road. If Nikki is left alone in the delivery room tomorrow, she will see her husband as the match is being screened live on BBC television.

Cheltenham, in a play-off place in League Two, have spent nothing this season on new players; their opponents have spent more than £40 million as pressure mounts on manager Graeme Souness. ..SUPL: